Pumpkinman names MGWS as charity partner

By FROM STAFF REPORTS

fosters.com

By FROM STAFF REPORTS

Posted May. 15, 2013 at 3:15 AM

By FROM STAFF REPORTS

Posted May. 15, 2013 at 3:15 AM

SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — The Pumpkinman Triathlon Festival has named the Marshwood Great Works School (MGWS) as its charity partner for 2013. Funds raised through Pumpkinman’s charity entry program will be delivered to MGWS, allowing the school to provide free after school programming for its 340 fourth and fifth grade students.

The Great Works School, which serves the communities of South Berwick and Eliot, is dedicated to providing its students with opportunities beyond the classroom. Pumpkinman will support the school by allowing it to provide all of its after school programs at no cost to the students and their families.

Kat Donatello, Pumpkinman Race Director, said, “Through the opportunities provided and experiences gained by the students through these programs, the communities of South Berwick and Eliot will benefit greatly.” She added, “We are thrilled to partner with MGWS and fully support the school as it encourages its students to remain active and engage in positive social interactions.”

Jerry Burnell, MGWS principal and Pumpkinman athlete, added, “Our goal is to offer a variety of activities that will excite many different students. With Pumpkinman’s support we are able to provide an expanded offering of opportunities to our students.”

The offerings at MGWS are wide-ranging. In just the last year, with the help of Pumpkinman, the school has added options such as cross country skiing, hiking club, “Jump, Hop, and Exercise” club, archery, floor hockey, chess club, dance, and walking club to its selection of free after school activities. There are no try outs or cuts for these programs and approximately 25 students participate in each activity.

“Pumpkinman has provided an opportunity for hundreds of students to be involved in fun and healthy activities,” said Burnell. “Being a public school, our funding is limited. As a result, the options for our students would be limited if it were not for the the funding provided by Kat Donatello and the Pumpkinman Triathlon Festival.”

Since its inception in 2007, the Pumpkinman Triathlon Festival has awarded and donated over a quarter million dollars back to the communities in Southern Maine. The Festival which takes place on Sept. 7-8, hosts over 1,100 multisport athletes and 2,000 spectators. Its success is due in part to the participation and volunteerism of over 300 local volunteers.

For more information contact Event Director Kat Donatello at kat@pumpkinmantriathlon.com.